Kia ora, fellow alumni!
For many of you, this may be the first alumni newsletter you’ve received, so I’d like to introduce myself. I’m Denise Johnson, and I have the honour of being the Principal of our school. Before that, I served as Associate Principal, and long before that, I was a student here - Denise Manning. My connection to HVHS runs deep, as my mum, Patty Rae (now Pat Manning), my dad, Graham Manning, their siblings, and my brother, Steve Manning, are all proud alumni.
I started at HVHS with lifelong friends Sally Miskimmin, Jenny Kings and Jacinta Keenan. Jacinta, who sadly passed away last year, was the school’s beloved Sports Director and a dear friend.
Many of our staff members are also alumni, and some have children who currently attend or have attended HVHS. Working alongside people who share a deep connection to the school makes our community even more special, and I feel privileged to lead this school with them.
This newsletter aims to keep you informed and involved as we approach a significant milestone in our school’s history. While our centenary celebrations are still two years away, it’s never too early to reconnect with old friends and colleagues and start making plans to celebrate together.
Centenary Update: Save the Date!
I’m excited to officially announce that our centenary celebrations will take place during the week of Monday, 3 August 2026, culminating in an Open Day on Saturday, 8 August 2026.
On that Saturday, the school will be open to all alumni, with various activities, events, and opportunities to reconnect. There is no cost to attend, however we will be asking for registrations next year to help with planning and catering.
Alumni Group Organised Events
We encourage alumni to organise decade gatherings or catch-ups on Friday, 7 August 2026, or in the evening on Saturday, 8 August 2026, after the Open Day. Many of you already coordinate groups of alumni, and we’re here to help you connect with each other and promote your events through our Facebook page and alumni database.
Rachel Williams, our Office Manager, Deena Anderson, our Communications & Marketing Manager, and volunteer Archivist Judith Gardiner are all working hard to organise this special weekend. We’ve carefully planned the centenary events to align with ongoing building and weather-tightness projects, and our current students’ programmes.
The week will be filled with events that showcase our school’s spirit and history. Current students will perform a drama production telling our school’s story, and there will be an NCEA art exhibition, an archives display, music and cultural performances, sports fixtures, and school tours. We’ll also host decade gatherings for group photos with morning or afternoon tea in the staffroom and library. We hope you’ll join us to relive your school days with us.
Volunteering to Help at the Centenary
We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help make our centenary a success. If you’d like to get involved, please email Deena at alumni@hvhs.school.nz. Your passion and commitment will be invaluable as we prepare for this special occasion.
A Big Thank You to the PPFA
I’d like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the Parents, Pupils, and Friends Association (PPFA) for their generous support of our centenary events and activities.
Building Work Update
In the next issue, I’ll provide a detailed update on the exciting new building projects planned for the school. Stay tuned for the latest architectural plans and more information on this vital initiative that will shape our school’s future.
Ngā mihi nui,
Denise Johnson, Principal
Image: My 1980 class photo of 7MR and teacher Mr Marrison
On our Alumni Facebook page, we've been profiling HVHS Olympians. Our school's first Olympian was Thelma Kench, who attended HVHS in 1929 and was New Zealand Olympian #32. Thelma competed in Athletics in the 100m race at the 1932 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles.
Thelma headed to the Olympics holding the national title in the 100m. Her time equalled the world record, and at 16, she was the youngest to hold the title. In the Olympic semifinals of the 100m race, the records note she was third after 50m but dropped back to sixth.
Looking back at the 1929 HVHS Yearbook it notes:
'Among the girls, Thelma Kench, senior girl champion, broke records in the 150 yards (20 3-5secs), 100 yards (12 4-5secs) and the 50 yards (6 3-5secs)'.
Our HVHS Olympians:
- Thelma Kench #32 - raced in the 100m at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
- Ross Collinge #222 - won gold at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico with the Coxed Four Rowing Team and silver in the Coxless Four Event at the 1972 Olympics in Munich.
- Gavin Bornhold #335 - at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Gavin competed in the Soling (Three Person Keelboat) event.
- Tim Logan #357 & Ian Boserio #336 - at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, they were in the Rowing Coxed Four together, which finished 6th in their event.
- Brothers Brent Miskimmin #474 & Peter Miskimmin #475 - both competed in the Men's Hockey at the Olympics. Brent competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, and Peter, who was two years younger, also competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. The New Zealand Men's Hockey team finished 7th in Los Angeles and 8th in Barcelona.
- Simon Percy #659 - competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona in three swimming events: the 100m Backstroke, the 200m Backstroke, and the 200m Individual Medley.
- Jonathan Wyatt #750 - raced at two Olympics, the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996 in the 5,000m and the Athens Games in 2004 in the marathon. Jonathan is also a six-time world mountain running champion!
- Zavana Aranga #760 - represented New Zealand in Softball at the Summer Olympics in Sydney in 2000, with the New Zealand women's team placing 6th overall.
- Richard Ussher #757 - represented New Zealand in Freestyle Skiing at the Winter Olympics in Japan in 1998. Richard is also a five-time Coast to Coast champion.
- Nick Fyfe - represented New Zealand at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Nick won bronze medals in three events - Alpine Slalom, Alpine Super G, and Alpine Giant Slalom. Nick has also been announced in the preliminary squad to represent New Zealand in the 2025 World Winter Games, which will be hosted in Turin, Italy.
- Nick Willis #973 - competing in the 1,500m at five Olympic Games, Nick brought home a silver medal from Beijing in 2008 and a bronze from Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Nick also claimed medals in all three of his Commonwealth Games appearances: gold in Melbourne (2006) and bronze in Delhi (2010) and Glasgow (2014).
Nick generously donated his 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medal (pictured) for the 1500m to the school, where it is proudly displayed in the office area.
Below: Article on Nick Willis from the HVHS Yearbook for 2003.
- by Judith Gardiner, Archivist
I was delighted when asked if I could volunteer, particularly in the computer area as I could see that there was a need for it. Colleen Cresswell who had already worked at the school as a librarian and Jean Bowden (nee Darnell) who was a past pupil were the two ladies who worked as volunteers. Colleen with her librarian skills of cataloguing and organization and Jean with her patience to work through lists and documentation built the archives up and if it was not for their enthusiasm and dedication we would not have what we have today.
In the past four years, Colleen moved away and Jean found it difficult to come regularly, particularly when Covid hit. I think it was a great relief to both of them that I was there to take it over, and thanks to their mentoring, it was not a hard transition. I have since left working at HVHS, and I am now working as the sole archivist at the school.
So what does the Archives do? This quote provides a helpful definition:
"It captures the milestones, achievements, and stories that shape the school community, fostering a sense of pride, belonging, and continuity. School archives also serve as education tools, promoting research skills and a deeper understanding of history'.
Putting it simply, collecting all things 'HVHS'!
The greatest achievement, which started in 2014 and was completed in 2020, was the compiling of a student name database from 1926. This was done by typing out the names from yearbooks, and cross checking them with photos and how can we forget the book Miss Palmer kept with all the names of the students who came through in her time.
This was a collaborative project undertaken by many people. Although it is not 100% correct as time goes by it is hoped that any errors that are in it or names are missed out they will be added to. Archivists are the one group of people who do not get offended if an error is found. Errors and corrections enhance the work that is being done.
Honours boards, cups and any objects that may have a student's name on them, have also been transcribed and are on file for reference. Clothing, photos and clothing articles have also been donated. There is always an ongoing project.
This week, we heard that Roger Stevenson QSM died peacefully at the age of 80. Roger was the Head of the Music Department at HVHS from 1996 to the early 2000s.
During his time at Hutt Valley High School, Roger led three choirs, including the auditioned choir Volente and Encore. Volente travelled to Sydney to participate in the Performing Arts competitions and won several awards.
Roger was also the first and longest serving Musical Director of the New Zealand Secondary Students Choir. In recognition of his services to music, Roger was awarded a NZ Commemoration Medal and, in 1991, the Queen’s Service Medal.
A service to celebrate Roger's life will be held at Bethlehem College Performing Arts Centre, 24 Elder Lane, Bethlehem, Tauranga, on Saturday, 7 September 2024, at 1:30 p.m. Livestreaming will be available at www.legacyfunerals.co.nz/funerals
Below: An article from the HVHS 1998 Yearbook with a lovely quote about Roger's support of the Encore choir.
Contact Information
Email: office@hvhs.school.nz
Website: hvhs.school.nz
Location: Hutt Valley High School Woburn Road, Woburn, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
Phone: 04 566 4584